The art of optical illusion has been an integral part of painting since antiquity when it was used as a yardstick by which to judge an artist's level of mastery. This book presents a fascinating overview of the different methods of illusion practiced by artists. Organized into five chapters - Optical Illusions, Distortions and Hidden Images, De-Figurations, Questioning Perception, and Overstepping Reality - it brings together artists from various time periods and disciplines. Dozens of illustrated examples offer intriguing comparisons of works by Magritte and Li Wei, Cindy Sherman and Giuseppe Arcimboldo, Michelangelo and Duane Hanson, and many more.